"His opinion was really appreciated" - Bayern Munich chief explains role Manchester City's Pep Guardiola played in Vincent Kompany's appointment
Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has shed light on talks with Pep Guardiola about Vincent Kompany as Bayern Munich closes in on appointing the former Manchester City captain as their new manager. The Belgian is set to replace Thomas Tuchel at the Allianz Arena and will leave Burnley who were relegated from the Premier League this season.
Bayern board member Rummenigge has confirmed the Bundesliga giants are advancing in their pursuit of Kompany. The German told Sky that their former manager Guardiola has helped give them an insight into his former City skipper:
"Pep Guardiola was also helping us with Kompany, he spoke very highly of Vincent as talented coach. Pep knows Vincent well and his opinion was really appreciated."
Kompany earned plaudits while in charge of Burnley last season as they headed back to the English top flight. They won the EFL Championship, finishing on 101 points.
The Clarets lasted just one season back in the Premier League amid a disappointing campaign. They suffered 24 defeats in 38 games and finished 19th in the table.
This hasn't stopped Bayern from targeting Kompany who was viewed as one of Europe's brightest coaches before this season. He previously coached Belgian outfit Anderlecht before taking over at Turf Moor.
The Bavarians are trying to find the man who can stop Xabi Alonso from continuing to wreak havoc with Bayer Leverkusen. The Spanish coach ended Bayern's 11-year stranglehold on the Bundesliga title.
Pep Guardiola tipped Vincent Kompany to become a future Manchester City manager
Guardiola made his feelings clear about Kompany's coaching abilities earlier this season when the two former allies met. Manchester City beat Burnley 3-1 on the Belgian's return to the Etihad. He tipped his former captain to become a future Cityzens boss (via Reuters):
"Vinny sooner or later will finish here. I have the feeling he will finish here. He is already a big manager, what he did last season with Burnley. You can see the ideas they have, the way they try to defend. I like what he does."
Kompany failed to reach expectations in the Premier League with Burnley but there were glimpses of promise shown. His side claimed a 1-1 draw away at Manchester United and a 2-2 draw away at Chelsea.
The former Manchester City captain has years of experience learning from Guardiola during his playing career. He won three titles with the Spanish coach and was vital in the club's current era of dominance.